Combined coffer-dam and caisson.



No.72s,497." I I v PATENTB'DMAY19,1903.

\ T. POOL.

COMBINED COPPER DAM AND GAISSOIL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT; 16. 1902.

no MODEL. 2 SEEETS-SHEET 1 m: mums PEYERS p0, mum-Luna, WASHINGTON u. c.

No. 728,497. 7 PATBNTED MAY 193903.

' w. T. POOL.

COMBINED COPPER DAM AND omss'ou.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 16, 1902. N0 MODEL. 2 SHEET SSH EET 2.

m I u I n n a 1 I m w u 1 0 UNITED V STATES Patented May 19,1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

COMBINED COFFER-DAlVI AND CAISSVON.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 728,497, dated May 19,1903.

Application filed $epternber 16, 1902. Serial No. 123,648. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

POOL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in thecounty of Mu'scogee and State of Georgia, have invented a new and usefulCombined'Coffer-Da rn and Caisson, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to a combined cofferdam and caisson. p

The invention has for its object to produce a device ofthis characterwhich willbe strong and durable, efficient in operation, and one whichis admirably-adapted for all'classes of submarine work and for thelayingof found ations or the like which necessitate working below water.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear as the natureof theinvention is better understood, the same consists in the novelconstruction and combination of parts of a combined cofier-dam andcaisson, as will be hereinafter fully described and-claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, -forming a part of thisspecificatio'n,'and in'which like numerals of reference indicatecorresponding parts, there are illustrated two forms of embodiment ofthe invention, each capable of carrying the same into practicaloperation, it being understood that the elements therein exhibited maybe varied or changed as to shape, proportion, and exact manner ofassemblage without departing from the spirit thereof, and in thesedrawings- Figure 1 is a view in sectional elevation of a form ofstructure embodying the essential features of this invention. Fig. 2 isa sectional View taken at right angles to the plane of that on whichFig. 1 istaken. Fig. 3 is a View in horizontal section. Fig. 4 is afragmentary detail View showing one manner of staying or bracing thecaisson.

Referring to the drawings and to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, there isillustrated a form of combined coffer-dam and caisson to be used inbuilding submarine structures. The structure is truncated pyramidal asviewed in side elevation and rectangular as viewedin end elevation. Thepitch or incline of the walls of the structure may be greater or lessthan that shown, the angular disposition of the parts being determinedby the work to be done. The casing as a whole is composed of I inner andouter sheathing l and 2, of boards, Be it known that I, WILLIAMTHOMPSON,-

spaced apart-by vertical timbers or scantlings '3, (shown in Fig. 3,)the space between the sheathings being packed With a suitable filling ofcement 4, thus to render the structure waterproof. The seams between thesheathings maybe calked or otherwise treated to render them proofagainst entrance of water.

The structure is braced internally and exter nally bycross-timbers 5 and6, the whole being tied firmly. together by tie-rods 7, carryingturnbuckles 8, the outer ends of the rods bypreference-being passedthrough bracebeams 9, bearing against the outer sides of the structure.I

The upper portion of the structure is divided intov two chambers-by aflooring and a partition-11, and its upper end is closed by a roof orcover 12, carrying in. this instance two downward-opening doors 13,provided with bulls-eyes 14, the doors 13 being constructed to fit theiropenings with sufficient closeness to preclude entrance of water. Whilebut two doors 13 are herein shown, it is to be understood that thisnumber may be increased, if found necessary or desirable. Communicationbetween the two chambers 15 and '16'-is established through adoor 17, bypreference hinged at its upper edge, so that it will always by gravityremain closed. The floor 10 in one of the compartments is provided witha bulls-eye 18 and in the other compartment with a downward-opening door19, also provided with a bulls-eye 20, the

bulls-eyes being provided to furnish requisite light in clear weather toenable the workmen to see with sufficient clearness to carry on theirlabor. Connected in this instance with the floor of the compartment 16is a ladder 21, which extends downwardly to the bottom of the casing andis by preference a rope ladder.

In order to adapt the casing to rest upon uneven bottoms and at the sametime be capable of precluding entrance of water under the edges thereof,its lower inner-portion has connected with it a flexible shield orborder 22,- preferably of rubber, tarpaulin, or any other suitablewaterproof material, which projects inward any desireddistance and isadapted to be weighted down by stones or the like, as shown in Figs. 1and 2, thereby in a positive and simple manner cutting 01f entrance ofwater to the casing beneath the edges of the latter. The shield orborder may be raised when it is desired to work under the edges of thecasing. I

Air is supplied from a suitable compressor through a pipe 23,discharging, preferably, near the bottom of the casing, and its quantitymay be easily regulated by a valve 24. The upper portion or roof of thecasing has safety-valves 24* associated with it to permit escape of airat the top in case it cannot escape at the bottom, thereby avoidingexcessive pressure within the casing.

In order to provide for the discharge without the casing of debrisremoved by the workman, a trough or holder 32 is provided, with whichconnects a spout 33, leading without the casing, the spout having avalve 34 associated with it which normally closes entrance to water andalso prevents escape of air. Communicating with the trough is a pipe 35,which leads to a source of air under pressure or to a compressor; Indischarging debris from the casing the workman dumps it in the trough 32and opens a valve 36 on the pipe 35, whereupon compressed airimmediatelyblows the debris out. When all is discharged, the valve 34 is closed byback-water pressure.

The form of easing just described is adapted for use in connection withthe laying of submarine tubes or cables, in building foundations, orerecting piers, and, if preferred, it may be employed as a sheathing,say, to a pier, the whole interior being filled with concrete or othermaterial to constitute the pier, and the structure will add additionalstrength to it. Of course under these conditions all internal mechanismwould be removed, such as the air-pipes, ladder, signaling devices,850., as well as the flooring and doors of the compartments.

The structure described may be employed for building stone and concretedams across a river, which may be effected by employing a plurality ofthe structures arranged side by side with the space between each filledwith concrete or the like, the filling between the structures beingpositioned either before or after the upper part of the dam iscompleted.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1; A caisson comprising a casing composed of spacing-beams, an inner andoutershell secured to said beams, a cement filling between the shells,braces, and tie-rods provided with adjusting means.

2. A structure of the character specified having a flexible apronassociated with its lower end.

3. A caisson comprising a casing composed of spacing-beams, an inner andouter shell secured to said beams, and a cement filling between theshells, said casing having its top closed and provided with suitabledoors, and a flooring below the top of the casing provided with aningress and egress door, and a partition extending from the flooring tothe top of the "casing.

4. A caisson comprising a casing and having a refuse-receiving troughcommunicating with the exterior of the casing, a valve for precludingentrance of water to the trough, and a compressed-air-supply pipe communieating with the trough and having a valve adapted to be operated tocause the air to force the contents of the trough through itsdischarge-opening to the exterior of the casing.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM THOMPSON POOL.

Witnesses:

bro. 0. COOK, W. O. JOHNSON.

